Chapter 464: Long Time No See
Chapter 464: Long Time No See
"Are you saying you're not insane...?"
Unaware of the events outside, Leon, who had entered the dog's stomach first, caught the female journalist as she fell from another esophagus. He couldn't help but sigh in exasperation, "It said you could go back, so why didn't you just do that? Why get involved? Couldn't you call for help or send a message back to inform the Director about your situation? Let her avenge you if necessary."
"Now look what you've done. By interfering, you've managed to get us both swallowed by the dog. This dog is getting a free meal, and its belly is getting rounder by the minute. What a waste!"
"..."
After listening to Leon's rant, the female journalist fell silent.
It seemed... that he was right... but...
She touched the blood-red deer antler mark on her forehead, and her eyes dimmed visibly as her mood sank.
She felt that her momentary excitement and immature actions were not only due to feeling indebted to the other party but also because of this mark.
When she was captured by the Crimson-Haired Princess in the Dream Realm, she had truly prepared herself to use her life to repay the Director's nurturing kindness. However, the Director had left a backup plan within her soul, ensuring that if she tried to leak any secrets, her soul would be immediately sent to the Netherworld.
He didn't trust her... Well, his distrust wasn't entirely misplaced, as she had indeed been prepared to reveal some information under the torment of guilt. She had wronged him, but he had also wronged her.
"Alright, don't just stand there in a daze."
Seeing the female journalist almost visibly displaying the word 'autistic' on her face, Leon shook his head and urged her, "While we haven't been digested yet, let's think of a way out!
Most of my anomalies are physical and can't be brought over with my body. Do you have any anomalies that can take effect with the soul and be carried along? If you do, tell me quickly, and I'll see if we can buy some time!"
"You haven't given up yet?"
Hearing Leon's words, the female journalist raised her head, looking somewhat dazed, "We've been swallowed by the Dog Deity. Even if it's weak, it's still a True Divine Rank, with a different life level than ours. We can't resist it, and even if we get out, we won't be its match."
"But you have to try before giving up, right?"
Seeing the female journalist's newfound acceptance of her fate, Leon couldn't help but feel a headache coming on. He tried to encourage her, "Look on the bright side, we might not die just yet.
Think about it, if the Director notices the lack of movement and comes to check on the situation, she'll surely realize our souls are missing. And once she comes here, this unlucky dog will be in trouble."
"Sorry, that's not very likely."
The female journalist shook her head at Leon's words, "The Slaughter of Crimson Hair consumes most of the Crimson-Haired Princess's energy. She's not skilled in soul-related matters. Even if she notices our souls are gone, she might not immediately think of the Netherworld and won't be able to come here quickly."
"..."
"Even if someone in your bureau is highly sensitive to soul-related matters and detects traces of the Netherworld, they won't suspect the Palace Guarding Death Dog. They'll only delve deeper into the Netherworld."
The female journalist pointed to the deer antler mark on her forehead and explained with a somber expression, "This is the Bloody Doe..."
The mark of the authority, the ability to sense traces of the Netherworld, would also allow one to perceive this.
Even if the Crimson-Haired Princess could find the Netherworld, her first priority would be to rush to the Corpse Soil Dark Forest and Burial Robe Mirror Lake, directly demanding the Bloody Doe for her people. She wouldn't linger around the Gate of the Dead or Dog God Angersi's side, let alone consider that we've already been devoured."
"..."
"I'm sorry. I know you're not satisfied, but in this situation, there's truly no point in struggling."
As Lyon fell silent after her analysis, the female journalist couldn't help but feel guilty.
"If it weren't for me, you wouldn't have had such a painful past. You wouldn't have joined the Purification Bureau, and you wouldn't have been dragged into the Netherworld. It's all my fault; I'm sorry."
"..."
Can we not bring up that "painful past"? It's quite embarrassing...
Feeling uncomfortable from the journalist's sincere apology, Lyon remained silent for a moment before speaking up,
"Since we're both going to die anyway, instead of being slowly digested, why not make a ruckus while we still have some life left? Even if it's just to make this damned dog suffer for a while, we can't let it off so easily!"
"That's... not a bad idea."
Seeing that Lyon hadn't given up even at this point and was still thinking of a counter-attack, the journalist's eyes flashed with admiration. She then spoke up,
"Most of the anomalies on my body have physical forms, which were confiscated when I was captured by the Crimson-Haired Princess. Only two exceptions remain, one of which is my hands."
She raised her hands, which glowed with a pure white light, and explained,
"This is called the Non-Tentacle, and its ability is..."
"To touch anything below the True Divine Rank or, to put it another way, although it appears that you're using your hands to 'touch,' there is no actual physical contact. There's always a slight gap, so no matter what you touch, you won't be harmed, right?"
"How do you know that?"
"I've shaken hands with you before."
Lyon explained,
"And when I touch an anomaly, I can discern the corresponding information. What's the second anomaly you brought with you?"
"The second anomaly..."
The journalist hesitated for a moment, then looked into Lyon's eyes and said,
"My name is Nicole... It's been a long time. Do you remember me?"
"???"
What are you talking about? Why are you acting crazy?
Upon hearing the journalist's question, Lyon was taken aback. However, before he could respond, fragments of scattered memories quietly awakened from the depths of his mind.
He remembered a girl named Nicole who lived next door when he was still living in Old Alley. When he was bedridden, she had taken care of him in Anna's stead. During the harsh winter, when he was breaking ice and hauling ropes, he had fainted from hypothermia, and she had brought him home, lips blue from the cold. She had also nursed him back to health and made him a hot soup.
Later, when Anna suddenly fell ill, he had entrusted William and Melanie to Nicole. He had borrowed some money from her to pay for Anna's hospital bed at the Red Brick Hospital...
Wait, is something off here?
(End of Chapter)
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